Richland College has announced that its 118,000-square-foot Sabine Hall science building has been awarded LEED® Platinum certification, established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

Dr. Kay Eggleston, Richland College interim president, stated, “We are extremely pleased to have earned this LEED-Platinum distinction, as Richland College is continuously committed to reducing its carbon footprint and to exercising leadership in the community by modeling ways to minimize global warming emissions to its students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community.

”This commitment is evident in the $40 million, 118,000-square-foot facility that houses Richland’s science programs, labs, bookstore, coffee bar and conference rooms. The systems and operation of Sabine Hall function in ways that produce minimal impact to the environment and function in ways that are also eco-friendly and sustaining to the environment.

“With each new LEED-certified building, we get one step closer to USGBC’s vision of a sustainable-built environment within a generation,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president/CEO & founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “As the newest member of the LEED family of green buildings, Richland College is an important addition to the growing strength of the green building movement.”

LEED certification of Richland College’s science building was based on achieving 54 credits for green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself, as well as the broader community. Some of these features include:

  • 57,000-gallon underground cistern to collect rainwater, roof run-off, and building condensate for landscape irrigation and toilet operation;
  • bioswales of native plant material to filter and direct collected water to underground cistern;
  • white reflective roof to minimize heat in the building during warmest periods of the year;
  • light monitors and light shelves to harvest and direct sunlight in ways for building use that minimize energy use; and
  • green roof terrace and green wall native plants to minimize heat in the building during warmest periods of the year.

For more information, contact Janet James, dean/executive assistant to the president, at Richland College, at 972-238-6974 or JJames@dcccd.edu.

This information was provided and written by Richland College.